Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-01
CarOnls i'm Four OblOng Spaces.
NEW WRINKLE OF THE EXPERTS TO REVIVE IN
TEREST IN RIIJJaRDS

Nh" WRINKLE OF THE EXPERTS TO REVIVE IN
TEREST IN BILLIARDS.
The New York San says: The billiard players
of the country have been rack1ng their brains for
weeks 10 devise new style OF billiards that will
be able to revive the public interest in the game
that existed In the Old days, when the experts
USED to be able to meet about the green cloth on
equal footing. The reasons why the experts have
to rack their brains Tor new idea is that
style OF game likely TO bring about exciting con-
tests among the "B1g FOur"-SlossOn, Schaefer
Sexton and Daly-hasnJ struck the public fancy
at all 1t Is altogether too slow, and only the
most enthusiastic billiard lovers can free them
selves from the danger OF going to sleep over q
direct follow, draw and masse three OF the pref
tiest and most dazzling styles OF caroms, and the
by the restrictions.
Cushion caToms was tried as a sort Of expert
iment 70 SEQ what the public wanted. 1t was
been killed as drawing attraction by the aston
ishing proficiency attained by Schaefer.
The 14inch balk line was considered something
tnat would render nursing and phenomenal runs
impossible, and proved attractive until Schaefer
hopeieSSly d1stanced everybody at IT, Its success
proved, however, that the public wanted TO see
billiards played In way that Will enable the ex-
perts 10 make ali the kinds Of swift caroms that
can be executed and the problem the experts are
wrestling with Is TO get up the game that will
allow this and still restrict musings so that the
experts In a match or tournament snail have fire.
quent Innings at the cue, and make things lively
as they used to be in the glorious Old days.
The scheme that seems most likely to be adopted
TO effect revival Of the exciting contests OF old
Is now being tried in private In Chicago. Ii per
nltS all sorts OF caromS 10 be made-Straight, &C.
centric back action, double kiss; In fact every
complicated style tnaC the most unreStraned en-
thusidSt ever dreamed Of At the same time 1t
practically makes nursing impossible.
All this desirable reform has been effected by
cutting the bed VI the table into four OblOng
''balk spaces by drawing chalk marks across the
middle OF the table from end to end and side to
side. only two caroms are allowable while the
two object balls remain together within any one of
these balk spaces. III the player does drive out
al least one On the third shot he Torfeits his inning
and his opponent takes q hand at the balls. The
only way that run can be rolled up Is for the
player TO drive the ball out so that 1t will return
within the space again.
The new style OF game Is favOrably commented
upon In this city, where efforts are being quietly
made 10 arrange for tournament, in which
Schaefer, Slosson, sexton and Daily shall be the
competitors.
The new style Of game ought to fill the bill"
Nike Geary, veteran billiard referee, said. at
opens possibilities for brilliant open table shots
that catch the spectators eye, and makes fire.
quent changes at the cue certainty. To my
mind IL promises 10 revive all the OId-tlme fervOr
and enthusiasm for the splendid pastime that used
10 put piles OF ShekeS into the pockets OF the play
ers ana give the public lots Of fun for their money
III IT Is tried next year I'll predict for the
tournament that serves as medium OF intrOduc-
JfOQ New Workers.